xxxiv J Discourse on Agriculture. 



munication — new fronts to property — and stimulate improve- 

 ment, not only in husbandry — but in all branches of employ- 

 ment, to which labour and capital are profitably applied. To 

 these the attention of our national, as well as state legisla- 

 tures, is now called. 



The enumeration of the stupendous and costly bridges over 

 our great rivers, exhibited by our state chief magistrate, af- 

 fords a strong proof of the general wealth and public spirit 

 of our citizens ; and a flattering encouragement to our hus- 

 bandmen ; as they facilitate their means of arriving at mar- 

 kets. In this catalogue, he only enumerates those "lately 

 erected," and lie has, no doubt involuntarily, overlooked the 

 High street bridge — the example and stimulant to them all — 

 erected on piers of solid masonry, in a depth 6f tide water 

 unexampled ; and under circumstances, allowed by European 

 engineers, never before to have been successfully encounter- 

 ed. Exhibiting also the first example in this country, and 

 tbe second in any quarter of the world, of a covered wooden 

 bridge. Nor should the beautiful structure within view of it, 

 be omitted. Although our government may not have be- 

 stowed direct support to our Agriculture — yet we should 

 rejoice that such aids to its advancement, though erected 

 with private funds, have, much to the praise of their patriot- 

 ism and attention to the public advantage, been encouraged, 

 and " honourably mentioned." 



I must request the indulgence of the society, in excuse for 

 the desultory and imperfect manner, in which, owing, among 

 other incapacities, to indispensable engagements, I have 

 treated a subject all of us have so much at heart. It will be 

 seen, that I could (except in a few instances) only make ge- 

 neral observations. I must also apologize, for the non-com- 

 pliance, specifically, with the terms of their request. 



To you, many of the observations may be superfluous. But 

 they were suggested by the interest I have long taken in the 

 subject of them. 



Your meritorious endeavours have been crowned with on- 



